blog Archives - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Feb 01 2017

One of the most important posts I’ve ever written

{This is a follow-up to a previous article that received so much attention, I knew I needed to post what’s been going on since that time. In the article, below, I share a little of the feedback I’ve received over the last several years. But, if you’d like to read the original article first, click HERE}

In case we’ve never met, allow me to introduce myself as a professional educator and 20+ year veteran homeschool parent. I homeschooled my kids all the way to college, and I remain a passionate advocate for home education and parental rights, working, writing, and, speaking to families coast to coast. I was a college professor for many years, then certified as a school teacher some years later. I have probably spent time in every kind of classroom setting you can imagine. At one point, I even mentored new teachers, too.

My classroom experiences, combined with research and my own instincts are what led me to chose home education for my own children. I eventually left traditional schoolrooms altogether. I couldn’t be part of that malfunctioning (read: harmful) system any more.

I have never looked back on my decision not to send my children to traditional school.

I encourage everyone who feels the same way to make the same decision I did.

When I wrote the article “Why I Quit Teaching” in 2014, I never imagined the response it would get. I wrote it partly to vent my frustration and partly to explain to readers why I left (especially the parents of children in my classes who might be reading). But, mostly, I wrote it for all the other frustrated teachers, frustrated parents, frustrated administrators, and a generally frustrated public — people who might need to read it, people fed up with the state of traditional education, people wondering if they were the only ones thinking there was something terribly wrong.

I wanted people who read my article to understand how difficult / tiring / thankless teaching really is, and how little good teachers can do anything about it.

I wanted people who read my article to understand how hard I tried to make a difference, but how powerless I was, how powerless all teachers are, to do what our hearts originally called us to do.

I wanted people who read the article to know there is something terribly wrong. Worse, that there isn’t anything they can do to change it.

Since writing that post, I’ve received SO. MANY. EMAILS. More than I can count now. Some left comments under the article itself, but most write directly to my Inbox. I read the emails with chills, my eyes welling with tears of empathy and understanding. I write back with as much support as I can muster, as I too experienced many of those same feelings at one time, too.

Though the article is now 2 years old, I continue receiving letters from frustrated teachers about once a week. I can only imagine how many other teachers think of writing to me, or writing to someone else, or speaking out about what they’re going through.

Emails have come from all parts of the country:

“I am a teacher in Texas and have reached that breaking point. I read your article about you quitting and never going back. I feel I am at that point. “

“I’m in Florida and completely understand what you wrote. Your article brought me to tears because of the similarity to my own situation. I finally feel understood.”

“In Michigan it’s the same thing. My colleagues and I are so bunched up in knots over what they’re asking us to do. It’s like we can’t even teach any more.”

From all kinds of teachers:

“I am a new teacher with an assignment to teach two sections of English I and five sections of remediation English in high school. I went into teaching because I love education and partly because I wanted to make an impact… Most of my students despise me and I hate the profession. I am lost and it has only been eight weeks.”

“I am a student teacher and already I’m rethinking my decision to go into this profession. What I’ve seen in the few classrooms I’ve worked have already left me wanting to run in the other direction.”

“I have been teaching for almost 20 years and I am at my breaking point. I used to love my work and felt I was making a big difference. Things have changed so much over the last 20-something years. This is not the job I originally signed up for…”

With all kinds of questions, worries, and frustrations:

“It seems unprofessional but I honestly want to quit and get out asap with little notice. I don’t know if I can even take two more weeks. I have found myself in such a pit of depression I barely want to eat, shower, or get out of bed and no job should ever make you feel that way. I need out now.”

“Quitting is not an option. I search the Internet for ways to help my students but nothing is taken seriously. Is there any way to incorporate a few aspects of the home school model into the public education system?”

“The work load and stress the rest of the year is simply not worth it. I…have to worry about another special education student hitting another student or throwing something at my stomach while I’m pregnant and nothing being done because the rules are different for him.”

“I’ve started applying for corporate jobs as a professional trainer/curriculum designer and I’m hoping I get on somewhere soon because we need the income (I just can’t stay in the school system anymore). I’ve also thought about teaching online college courses or maybe making crafts and selling on Etsy or similar sites. “

“I am going through a mixture of emotions right now: disappointment: I have put forth so much time, money, and energy to become and be a teacher and had such high hopes of what it would be but it is nothing close to what I wanted.”

I personally respond to as many as I can. Sometimes, the teachers and I correspond for a period of time.

I try to create a container where these people can get their thoughts out. Because there really isn’t anything I can do, I can’t make recommendations for or about them. How could I? I don’t know any of these people or their situations.

But, at least I feel I can provide a listening ear. So, I devote 30 minutes a week or so to replying to teachers who write to me about quitting.

Had you any idea our nation’s teachers were suffering in this way?

Were you aware how helpless, hopeless and misunderstood many teachers actually feel?

In case you weren’t, I figured I’d let you know. Looking back now, I know that was one of the most important posts I ever wrote.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

May 30 2016

As families flock to homeschooling, how does this impact you?

You read the papers. I know you have friends and neighbors whose children take the bus.

I don’t have to tell you how public school parents are worried about stuff going down in their kids’ schools. Some are angry. Others are downright scared.

Honestly, if I read one more story about testing, restrooms, bullying, vaxxing, race discrimination, teachers behaving badly, sex education curricula, school bus violence, religious intolerance…well, the list goes on and on. In my opinion, election campaigning has introduced even more confusion into the minds of many youngsters this year, too.

It’s a hot mess.

Other families are now just discovering the benefits of homeschooling. Upon realizing there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to learning, they’re looking at ways to better meet the needs of unique children, or how to live a life of learning outside the four walls.

Over the weekend, I had the honor of once again attending the largest homeschooling convention in the country. As I met with families in the exhibit area and encountered parents throughout the convention center, I once again got a glimpse of the enormity of our growing community, with fresh eyes as I compared it to last year. This weekend’s event brought in some 20,000 people, the largest attendance ever I’m told. Understand I’m only talking about one event. These kinds of conferences happen all year long, throughout the country.

In Orlando, as in other areas I travel, I met families of all kinds, all coming together to share a common journey. But, over the last few years, I’ve been sensing a more diverse audience than ever before. Research hasn’t caught up to this emerging new demographic, but it’s blaringly obvious the new face of homeschooling is more and more a reflection of concerns arising over government schooling.

Makes sense. Parents are looking for options. They’ve already changed schools and they’ve already tried the private and charter alternatives. They’ve looked into virtual programs and smaller academies. In the end, lots of them are abandoning schools altogether. They’re leaving what they view as a failing system, often leaving behind beloved teachers and favorite Principals they trusted for years. Yet, they don’t trust the overall experience any more. So, they’re packing it in. They’re suddenly homeschooling.

Does this influx of families impact those of us already homeschooling?

I think it does.

Depending on your perspective, the growing number of homeschoolers could be a good thing or a bad thing. The rise of homeschooling could be viewed as a necessary evolution, a reflection of modern society as it were, increasing opportunities and avenues for connection and collaboration and information for us all. It could (will) continue to validate what we’re doing, providing even more evidence of the logic and success of our choices as more homeschoolers enter the adult world and show off what they’ve got.

On the flip side, the influx of modern families could send you into hiding, as homeschooling evolves into something other than what you originally signed up for. No longer an elite club for the righteous, the celebrities, the non-conformists and the free thinkers, homeschooling might not appeal to you so much now that everybody’s doing it. I can’t read your mind, but I’ve heard at least a few parents saying it doesn’t feel so special any more.

There are certainly some distinct areas being impacted, that I observe in my work and that I hear from other homeschool leaders. Because these areas may impact you directly, I want to share what you might expect as homeschooling continues to explode:

For starters, you can probably expect more questions and requests for information than ever before. Perhaps you’re already finding this true in your daily life. As more people begin coming to you for help, you might choose to offer more assistance. Or not. Be aware that having experience homeschooling in an area is a valuable asset. Others will probably want to learn what you know.

Increasing numbers of homeschoolers will probably mean an increased need for support in your area. Given that at least some of the new families haven’t had a whole lot of time to prepare, you might notice a growing lack of understanding and an even greater need for basic help than ever before. Local support groups could experience an increase in memberships and online support systems even more join requests than previous years. You can recommend this book if you like.

Whereas orientation for new homeschoolers is traditionally offered at the beginning or end of a “school year”, you might begin seeing more events in your area throughout the year. Online events are already occurring throughout the year, providing information and encouragement for those just dropping in. Prepare to see even more information sessions and online conferences for newcomers in years to come.

Given that many new families come from school environments, you might begin to notice a demand for more structured activities in your community. People who are used to classes and bell ringing will be looking for similar activities in your area. Should you feel led to direct new families, you might respond by pointing them to structured activities that already exist where you live. Or, you may feel called to help create structured activities (like classes, fairs and co-ops) if they don’t already exist.

On the other hand, it’s logical to assume that not everybody is happy about the changing culture and the newer flavors of support and activities. Certainly perspectives will differ, but this could become a time for you to reassess your involvement in activities that lose their intimacy or other qualities you presently enjoy. Larger homeschool programs can sometimes begin to resemble the very school programs some homeschoolers avoid. Fractioning of groups and activities tend to occur during these times, as well, as breakout groups form in response to the needs of families feeling lost in the larger sphere. Systems that no longer function will be reinvented.

Similarly, an increase in homeschoolers usually also means an increase in the search for social activities. I see this emerging in my area, and I’ll bet you notice it in yours, too. Alongside this need, I am finding many long-time homeschoolers are starting to reassess the kinds of socialization they desire for their own kids. Depending on your view, the rise of homeschooling could be a time to reflect upon your specific reasons for homeschooling, and whether to expand your children’s opportunities to include different kinds of socialization — or not.

Finally, if you haven’t already noticed, the rising number of homeschoolers has become a way for opportunists to cash in. The marketplace is fast becoming a free-for-all, as publishers and other companies are targeting homeschoolers, often creating new products specifically for our market. New products hold the potential to change your way of thinking, as manufacturers sometimes fabricate standards and needs that do not even exist. As parents, it’s important we pay attention to the changing homeschool marketplace. Though many of these products are exceptional, others have little to do with a quality homeschool education. And while you may welcome, as I do, the myriad of new product choices for use in the homeschool, I also advise even greater discernment when previewing products from companies that don’t have your best interests in mind — just your wallet.

What effects are you noticing in your area as the result of the increasing homeschool population? Are you welcoming these changes or are you feeling compromised in ways you do not enjoy?

I would love to hear what is happening in your community as homeschooling expands across the country. Please leave a COMMENT in the space below.

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Nov 16 2015

Things I hate about homeschooling

You guys know I love homeschooling. You know I love introducing it to people who are anxious to get started. You know I speak to audiences about the advantages and benefits of graduating from a home education program.

I just can’t say enough about it. Homeschooling is the bomb.

Unless you ask me what I don’t like about it. Which I don’t mind sharing, either. Because I never want you going around thinking, “What a liar. She said it was gonna be easy, and now my kid’s failing Algebra 2” and things like that.

It’s not fair for people to trick you into thinking homeschooling is all unicorns and rainbows. I need you to know it’s serious business, and it can be really, really hard. I should probably also tell you there might be days when you dream about the school bus and getting the house all to yourself. Sometimes, it can get so frustrating you even want to quit.

In case you think I’m joking, I’ve made a list of the things I hate about homeschooling. Well, strongly dislike. These aren’t deal-breakers obviously, but things I could seriously do without.

I’ve written this article so you’ll understand that when homeschooling (as with anything else), you learn to take the good with the bad. If this stuff bothers you a lot, they might be deal breakers for you. But, if you can look past them as I do, they don’t make a bit of difference compared to all the good you’re doing for your kids.

Things I Hate Strongly Dislike About Homeschooling

People who pretend to be supportive but really aren’t

You know those friends and family members who smile politely and ask all the obligatory questions? They really don’t want to hear your answers. Because they’ve already made up their minds that you’re either crazy, or wrecking your kids lives, or both. I try not to waste my time on hypocrisy or negativity. It’s hard to avoid though.

People who ask if there is something wrong with my kids

Like those people who witness a meltdown in public (yours or your kids’) or who see your kids doing something sorta crazy or super-nerdy, and they can’t relate? They assume there is something terribly, terribly wrong because you’re not doing anything about it. Especially if you’re the kind of mom who doesn’t care about that kind of thing because you know your kids are fun and quirky and normal. So, you don’t even try to explain or change what’s happening, therefore they assume you’re really messed up.

Never getting to be alone in my own house

Over the last 20 or 30 years, there has always been somebody at home. And, when you leave the house, you’re usually all together. So, you personally never get any time in your own house, alone, to just do whatever in the heck you want, in your own house, because you can. I distinctly remember all the times this has actually happened in my house, by the way, which is exactly 2. Because I keep track.

Having to answer questions about homeschooling to total strangers just because they ask

Just because we’re doing something that makes people curious doesn’t mean we totally have to drop everything we’re doing. Sometimes we have babies in our arms or it’s at the very second we were just about to make a dash to the restroom. But we can’t always avoid making eye contact with people, or we’re just trying to be polite, and now we have to spend all that time pretending to be nice and telling them everything they want to know. That.

Wondering if people really want to “have coffee” or if they secretly just want to get free homeschooling information

Because you really want to have friends, but when you’ve been homeschooling a while, you start getting the impression that people only love you for what you know. And everybody knows how frugal homeschoolers are, but you simply don’t have time for “quick questions” all the time. Besides, you don’t even like coffee that much, and it’s not worth getting a free cup if it’s going to take 2 precious hours out of your day and you’re not even going to feel refreshed afterwards. It’s just hard to figure out if you’re really friends or if people are just using you to get free information they’re too cheap to pay for from people who actually give that kind of advice for a living.

Feeling like we have to look more perfect or sound more perfect in public because people are really judgmental

You know, because somebody might ask you or your kids a question, or might notice your kid has a bruise on his arm from falling off his scooter and that person might be your pediatrician and you’re afraid he might report you for neglect. Or other people might notice you’re out during the day when all the other kids in town are “in school” and your kids are not. So, you can never truly relax 100% because there’s always that person who’ll think something or say something or spread something that makes homeschoolers look bad, and you feel responsible for making sure that doesn’t happen.

Rarely getting anything for myself

They all take it. And there’s never any left. Even when I put my name on it and hide it aaaaallll the way in the back in the fridge. Because I’m the mom and they don’t care, and that’s the way the world goes ’round. And I’m not supposed to feel bad about it either. Okay, maybe this isn’t just about homeschooling.

Never being able to afford anything, and not being able to show my kids the world

I know people travel on the cheap but the truth is, there’s just never anything extra in the budget (plus, we run a business so we need to be in one place). Which makes me sad, because my kids want to see things and places, and I feel like a big old failure when I can’t provide it. They don’t ask for much, so this is actually a tough one for me. I wish I could’ve figured this one out years ago.

Never enough time to work on marriage and focus on my husband

Everyone knows we’re supposed to work on our marriages and prioritize this very important thing. But, the problem is lack of time to even spend with our husbands (speaking to wives here), let alone read books or study things about marriage. I still manage to do it to some degree, but there’s definitely some frustration over doing it enough.

Not being able to contribute to the family income

Since you were capable of earning a decent income before kids, now you’re feeling like you can’t use your experience or your college degrees to significantly contribute to the family income. Especially when money is tight, and particularly when people ask if “you work” or what “you’re gonna do when the kids move out” and things like that. It’s a decision you made when you had kids, and you know you made the right choice, but there’s still that little feeling that you could be earning money, maybe even lots of it.

So those are my homeschooling pet peeves. Perhaps you agree with some of them, or maybe those wouldn’t bother you at all. Thankfully, mine is a short list. Because, as I’ve said repeatedly, I love homeschooling my kids.

Is there something you hate about homeschooling? Post a COMMENT letting me know. I’d love to compare notes. Or, maybe it’ll end up in my next book.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame and with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

May 15 2015

The comparison game

Ever catch yourself comparing your kids to somebody else’s kids? Ever compare your homeschool to someone else’s homeschool?

I’m guessing we’ve all done this a little. I think it’s because we’re looking for reassurance and a sense of belonging. As parents, we like knowing we’re on the right track. We find comfort knowing we’re not so totally different that we should be worrying about it. Am I right?

But, sometimes, comparisons can go too far. Maybe you know people who make it a habit of comparing themselves to others? Maybe — that person is you?

Let me tell you what’s wrong with the comparison game. But, first, let me explain how it manifests in the homeschooling community (at least the way I’ve noticed it).

The comparison game is played when one person starts watching another family, chatting with the other parent, and asking questions like, when-did-your-kid-do-this and how-does-your-kid-do-on-that. Questions usually center around quantity, timing and degree. At beginner levels, the first person takes mental notes on what she’s hearing and creates visuals in her mind of how her kids stack up. At this stage, it’s hardly visible to the other players (who might not even realize the game is going on).

At more advanced levels, the first player starts sharing things about her kids do, too. Usually, she’ll share better things and bigger victories, mindful only to share when her kids’ performance exceed the levels she perceives on the playing field. This stage can be either one-sided or interactive, but always ends in making the other players feel bad.

Reaching expert level in the comparison game doesn’t take long, just practice. Unfortunately, the price of doing it so well is having to homeschool alone, because other people won’t stick around for very long. It’s no fun being with “winners” in this game. They’re obnoxious and annoying. All they do it take from relationships, never offering help or support in return.

Sound familiar?

Though I’ve painted an extreme picture, I think we can all relate to this story on some level. While some level of comparison might not be so bad, it’s those extreme levels that are unpleasant for us to be around.

While some level of comparison might not be so bad, it’s those extreme levels that are unpleasant…

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Which is a good thing, really. Because comparing children isn’t as helpful as one might think. You might actually want to rethink doing it.

Wait — isn’t comparison the way we’re supposed to know how our kids are doing?

Hear me now.

Though a parent may feel satisfied upon hearing her child’s abilities exceed those of other kids, as it turns out, that kind of data isn’t so helpful after all. Since kids are so different, there is a wide range of what is normal among children. Measuring one kid against another isn’t really fair, because no two are exactly alike. You’ve heard how some kids can read at age 3 and some don’t really start until 9 or 10, right?

Another reason comparisons don’t really work is because there are so many other factors that can play into kids’ performance. Since it isn’t possible to control all the other factors (mood, environment, hunger, aptitude, preparation, home life, etc.) comparisons like that just aren’t valid.

So, is comparison helpful? And how?

Good comparison starts with objective measures. Things we can somewhat control, and that are very similar, too.

Comparing last year’s work to this year’s work is a good place to start. That kind of information tells us our children are progressing, and can also tell us the basic rate at which they seem to move. The method isn’t perfect, but it can often tell us our kids are learning, sometimes giving clues for what to add (or nix) the following year.

Another good comparison is comparing what our kids can do with what a variety of textbooks, curriculum products or placement tests say they should be able to do. Or thereabouts. Again, not perfect. But, a semi-helpful gauge of where our kids might be, at some given point in time. Trying not to box our children into a set of rules, we can use this kind of data as a general guide, that’s all.

A third type of decent comparison comes when we look at how large numbers of other students typically perform in certain grades. That data can be interesting, if only to get an overall understanding of what many children tend to do at that age, but not expecting exactly the same results in our homes. Looking over national averages, regional averages, findings of large research studies, and standardized test results are just some of the places we can turn for approximate measures of where kids tend to be at certain points in time.

Let us remember in all cases, however, these are merely approximations of children, not always what we should expect from our own very unique children.

When comparison is not helpful, however, is in smaller doses. As in, comparing our kid to another we just met. Or comparing our kid to another child we’ve only heard/read about.

Basically, don’t participate in the comparison game.

The best small comparisons can do is generate false data, or make someone feel bad for not measuring up. Never a good thing.

That’s why comparisons based on chats with parents of children on the playground, children in the youth group, and children in the homeschool co-op isn’t recommended. Those aren’t real samples of children. Why would you compare very different children to your own?

Another reason spot comparisons don’t work is because we know nothing about all of the other factors that might explain the differences. We don’t know, for example, the obstacles the other child may be facing. We don’t know the amount of effort the other child is putting in. We have no idea how much parental support the other child receives, the methods used to teach him, the quality of the home environment, the levels of external support the other family receives, or anything. It’s the old apples-to-oranges test.

You know where else comparison isn’t useful? In our own families. It’s never fair to compare our kids to one other. Do you have one messy child and one who is very organized? Do you expect the same level of room tidiness from each of them? Why, then, expect them to be identical students?

Comparing to “Internet families” isn’t wise, either. While it may be fascinating to read what goes on in other homes (those peek-inside-my-home blogs), remember, blogs written by Internet-families represent just the tiniest look into their lives. There are factors behind those stories we’ll never know.

Remember, blogs written by Internet-families represent just the tiniest look into their lives….

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While it’s tempting to wonder how our children stack up against other kids, it’s important to remember how harmful it is to make comparisons during the homeschooling years. Nothing tears a parent down faster than believing she’s doing a terrible job or depriving her children. Besides, we all homeschool differently making such comparisons nearly impossible.

Making improper comparisons on our own, or playing the comparison game with others, can cause great anguish and much self-doubt among homeschool parents.

For the sake of your success and happiness, it may be best to avoid comparison altogether.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of many homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, or with no educational background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, and many other events. She currently writes for audiences at Quick Start Homeschool, which she founded in 2010, and as a guest writer on other sites as often as she can. Her articles have appeared in CONNECT magazine, on Homefires, at Circle of Moms, and she has contributed to hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Dr. Moreau can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Mar 26 2015

Guest posting at “Vibrant Homeschooling” today

Opportunities to connect with new families are always welcome! Today, I get to meet some awesome new people over at Vibrant Homeschooling!

In my guest post, I’m completely transparent about a struggle I faced when my kids were very young. I share how hard days sometimes got to me, but how they also taught me valuable lessons about my kids, our homeschool, and (perhaps most importantly) about myself.

Here’s a preview of the article, but make sure to read the ENTIRE ARTICLE, so you don’t miss the ending…

It was a rainy morning, the third in three days.

And though I dreamt of sipping hot cocoa and playing with the boys in their blanket fort all day, I found myself piling three wriggly uncooperative children into a minivan and heading off to the library instead.

My feelings weren’t because I thought the activity would be unpleasant. Actually, I thought it was going to be epic.

I knew this, because I had organized the class myself. Not only had I made sure it would be taught by the most knowledgeable person in the state, but I had been careful to specifically request live specimens (not those phony plastic models), periods of learning for every different age group, printed take-home activities and web links, and generally a program I could be proud of.

Yet, for some reason, I didn’t want to go. The day was gloomy and the blanket fort was calling. I could just tell my kids weren’t up for another day on the town.

Without getting into ugly details, let me just say my instincts were spot on that day. Indeed staying home would have been the better option.

Because the enormous headache and stained jersey I came home with was eclipsed in much greater proportion by the display my kids put on at the library. And if their antics and attitudes and complete lack of interest and total lack of participation weren’t already enough to reveal what a parenting failure I was, I proceeded to have a mini melt-down myself…